Nebraska 2026 Rankings Update: Surging Ball Control Gems

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's give a few more shoutouts to the setters and defensive specialists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we revisited our latest Nebraska Class of 2026 rankings to discuss a few existing attackers on the watch list who are still impressing us. We're about to do the same with setters and liberos—and there's a lot to choose from here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, let's do it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["219728"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Hengelfelt will do anything necessary to help her team succeed. She burst onto the scene last year as Cross County's freshman setter who led the team to a state tournament appearance right away. We've seen Hengelfelt take on a variety of roles this year, including a more steady stay at the outside hitter spot. Wherever she finds herself in the lineup, Hengelfelt is sure to put her multi-faceted skill set on display.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["276191"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Estudillo is still running the backcourt onslaught for Fremont. She's been doing it since she was a freshman and has maintained her career average of four digs per set in 2023. Ball control remains a central component of Fremont's sustained success, and savvy defenders like Estudillo help make it happen. She was a surefire addition to our first top 30.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["278995"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Bodnar is now Omaha Duchesne's clear leader at the setter spot. It's hard not to notice this sophomore casually putting up 9.5 assists per set and a wealth of quality digs along the end line. Bodnar's quick ascent is no surprise after she shined on big stages with Premier Nebraska during the spring. Another step forward.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["349420"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"More Fremont standouts? We know that backcourt is scrappy. Brandt has embraced her niche as a primary defensive specialist and is chipping in with 2.4 digs per set during her trips across the back row. Coming in cold off the bench and providing a defensive spark is an underrated skill. Brandt is mastering it.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["349467"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Omaha Gross Catholic gets so many valuable contributions from their sophomore setter. Not only does Dutcher distribute the ball well, but her deceptive attacking in the frontcourt has been good enough for over a kill per set on a lofty 0.341 clip. Dutcher's surprising physicality and aggression at the net will provide a crucial building block that the Cougars will surely build upon.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["349470"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Millard West has given us glimpses at what Frandson can do while running the offense. It's also worth going back and looking at [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] tape, where Frandson made a big splash there during the club season. It's hard to break into the starting rotation as an underclassman setter, but Frandson has demonstrated her readiness for the spotlight when her number is called.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["275968"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"We've seen plenty of multi-talented athletes in the Sumner-Eddyville-Miller lineup, and you can add Hoos to that discussion. She is primarily known for running the Mustang offense out of the back row, but she is also apt to get her share of swings in the frontcourt, too. Whether its at setter or as a pin hitter, Hoos is elevating S-E-M's standing as a postseason contender once again.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["276208"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Jakub is another one of those small-town setters who made an early appearance on our 2026 radar. She ran the Milford offense during her debut season and has picked up where she left off this year. That includes contributing about seven-and-a-half assists per set and an impressive three digs per set from the right-back area. Consistency remains a big plus with Jakub in the Eagles' lineup.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["349472"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Myers has the kind of digging line that makes you do a double take. She's compiling 5.8 digs per set for Millard South this year while the Patriots regularly face some of the best offenses in the state. We saw plenty of impact potential from Myers during her appearances at Prep Dig showcases, and this enormous breakout is a testament to that ability.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6528a8b69d383"} /-->